Reasons for the non-use of hearing aids: perspectives of non-users, past users, and family members
20 February 2026
“I’ve always felt in the middle of hearing people and the deaf community.” What is it like to grow up with hearing loss?
20 February 2026Barbra H. B. Timmer, Rebecca J. Bennett, Joseph Montano, Louise Hickson, Barbara Weinstein, Jane Wild, Melanie Ferguson, Jack A. Holman, Valeri LeBeau & Lisa Dyre
ABSTRACT
Aim: Best-practice in audiological rehabilitation takes a holistic client- and family-centred approach and considers hearing care in the context of personal well-being. Hearing loss not only impairs the ability to hear, but can also compromise the ability to communicate, thus negatively impacting both social and emotional well-being. Hearing care professionals play a key role in fostering their client’s well-being. This paper aims to provide evidence-based recommendations to ensure inclusion of social-emotional wellbeing in audiologic rehabilitation clinical practice.
Methods: A review of current research and expert opinion.
Results: This guide proposes a 5-step plan which includes: identifying the client’s social-emotional wellbeing; including family members in audiological rehabilitation; incorporating social-emotional needs and goals in an individualized management plan; relating identified hearing needs and goals to rehabilitation recommendations; and using counselling skills and techniques to explore and monitor social-emotional well-being. Each component of the 5-step plan is discussed and clinical considerations are presented.
Conclusion: These comprehensive recommendations provide guidance to hearing care professionals looking to ensure clients’ social-emotional well-being are considered throughout the rehabilitation journey.